A DIRECT TRANSLATION OF AN EXCERPT FROM A FARBRENGEN OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE
Toras Menachem – Hisvaaduyos 5745, vol 3, pp. 1646-1647
Adapted from the book “Moshiach Mindset,” available at TutAltz.com
Some Yidden insist that they have it good in Galus, Rachmana litzlan! From their perspective, they would not object to the Galus being extended for another two thousand years…! That is the most shocking thought to entertain, and certainly the most terrible thing to express verbally! Despite that, their statement is met without the slightest protest or objection on the part of those who hear it!
The reason for the lack of objection is that those who need to scream out, “Moshiach now!” are embarrassed to do so. Not only are they ashamed, but they are personally baffled at such an expectation. What good will it do, they ask themselves, to shout “Moshiach now!”?
Their argument against doing so runs as follows: Hashem gave us the merit of living under circumstances that permit us to study Torah and perform mitzvos behidur. We are therefore able to engage in
WHAT GOOD WILL IT DO, THEY ASK THEMSELVES, TO SHOUT “MOSHIACH NOW!”?
The fact that we cannot (and must not) offer an actual korban–kemitzvos retzonecha, in proper fulfillment of Hashem’s Will–is not our fault at all, for we are not in a position to change the situation. As per the famous statement of the leader of our generation–or
avodas hatefillah in accordance with the directives of our Rebbeim, and not only on special occasions such as Shabbos and Yom Tov but even for an ordinary weekday Minchah. Accordingly, we are able to offer the korbanos in their spiritual form (for the tefillos were established in place of the korbanos) in the most perfect way.
so these individuals continue their argument–that “not of our own will were we exiled from our land and not with our own power will we return to Eretz Yisrael; it was our Father and King who exiled us… and He will redeem us.”
As a result, they claim, as long as we find ourselves in exile–due to the fact that this is Hashem’s will–we must perform our Divine service (“I was created only to serve my Creator”) in the most perfect way. This entails serving Hashem “with all your heart, soul, and might,” which includes “with all your wealth,” that embraces the work to bring spiritual refinement to our individual segments of the material world, etc. Not only do these people make such a claim, but they actually perform this service in reality.
Now, what about the reality that our Divine service will only be true and fully complete with the coming of the Geulah? Well, they argue, ones rachmana patrei–one who is forced by circumstance is not held liable! True, they admit, “one who is forced [not to observe a mitzvah, although not liable for neglect,] is nevertheless not considered to have performed it.” However, they counter, what point or benefit is there in our feeling pained, anxious, and grieved over a matter that is not our fault and not under our control? For that is precisely the concept of screaming out, “Moshiach now!”
In fact, they argue, the very opposite is true: if we are pained and grieved over the Geulah‘s delay, it will undermine our efforts to serve Hashem with joy and gladness!
A Jew might find himself living a good and elevated life from a material as well as a spiritual perspective. He may study Torah, observe the mitzvos, and be materially well-off. But how can he relax and enjoy his state when the true and complete Geulah has still not arrived? How is it possible for him to not be motivated to shake
YES, DURING TEFILLAH, KERIAS SHEMA SHE’HAMITAH, HE NEEDS TO CRY OUT, “SHEMA YISRAEL!” BUT AT ALL OTHER TIMES, HE MUST SCREAM, “MOSHIACH NOW!”
all the worlds with his cries and screams of “Moshiach now!”?
Yes, during tefillah, kerias shema she’hamitah, he needs to cry out, “Shema Yisrael!” But at all other times, he must scream, “Moshiach now!”
He might have all the good in the world–the good of this material world and the good of Olam Haba. But what is all that worth compared to the true and complete Geulah? All of the greatest Divine revelations, even those available previously during the times of the Beis Hamikdash, reach no higher than chitzoniyus atik [the external dimensions of the higher element of keser]. So what is all that worth compared with the revelation of penimius atik that will be revealed in the Future Era!
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 41 Lubavitcher Rebbe Yahrtzeit Edition.